Monroe, Lackawanna County men ordained as deacons at Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton

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Bishop Joseph C. Bambera ordained eight northeast Pennsylvania men as permanent deacons in November, including men from Lackawanna and Monroe County.

The newly-minted deacons join ranks of the clergy who minister to parishes throughout the Diocese of Scranton. Three of the new Deacons reside in Lackawanna County, two in Luzerne and Lycoming counties, and the final Deacon is from Monroe County.

Bishop Bambera ordained the following men on Nov. 26: John F. Bankus, John F. Bubb, Martin J. Castaldi, Matthew R. Eisley, Thomas A. Kostic, Steven J. Miller, Nicholas M. Rocco, and Frank H. Zeranski.

Pictured following the Ordination Mass are, front row, from left: Rev. John V. Polednak, V.E., Episcopal Vicar for Clergy; Deacon Walter Janoski, Coordinator of the Candidate Advisor and Pastoral Formation Programs; Deacon Matthew R. Eisley, Jersey Shore; Deacon Nicholas M. Rocco, Jefferson Township; Bishop Bambera; Deacon John F. Bubb, Montoursville; Deacon John F. Bankus, Wyoming; Rev. Gerald W. Shantillo, V.G., S.T.L., Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia; Monsignor David Bohr, Diocesan Secretary for Clergy Formation and Director of the Permanent Diaconate Formation Program. Back row, from left: Deacon Thomas A. Kostic, Hazleton; Deacon Martin J. Castaldi, Scranton; Deacon Steven J. Miller, Tannersville; and Deacon Frank H. Zeranski, Jefferson Township.
During the Litany of Supplication, the men who were ordained as deacons prostrate themselves on the floor of the Cathedral of Saint Peter on Nov. 26, 2022, in a gesture of solemn petition. A man from Tannersville and a man from Scranton were included in the newly-minted group.
During the Litany of Supplication, the men who were ordained as deacons prostrate themselves on the floor of the Cathedral of Saint Peter on Nov. 26, 2022, in a gesture of solemn petition. A man from Tannersville and a man from Scranton were included in the newly-minted group.

The deacons will complete a five-year formation program and become members of the threefold ordained ministry that also includes bishops and priests.

"The deacon’s service has three aspects: word, worship and charity." The diocese said in a press release. "He can perform certain ministerial functions such as administering baptism; serving as the deacon at the Mass, including proclaiming the Gospel, preaching the homily and distributing Holy Communion; bringing viaticum to the sick; presiding at wake services, funeral liturgies and burial rites and with permission by the pastor, may celebrate the Sacrament of Matrimony."

Deacons also may minister to the needs of families, single parents, students, the aged and infirmed, the imprisoned and those who suffer from poverty or addictions.

This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Northeast Pennsylvania men ordained as permanent Catholic deacons